Diwali – 17 November 2018

Diwali, also known as the festival of lights was celebrated by the Havering Asian Social and Welfare Association (HASWA) at their community centre Greenfields, Kilmartin Way, Elm Park, Essex on Saturday 28th October 2017. Young and old came together for celebrations along with guests Mayor of Havering CouncillorDilip Patel with his wife Councillor Nisha Patel, Councillor Sally Miller, Rainham and Dagenham MP John Cruddas,Keith Prince AM, London Assembly Member for Havering & Redbridge and Colonel Markham Bryant DL MBE.

Sansar Singh Narwal secretary of HASWA, said “events such as the Diwali celebration promote better cultural understanding of Havering’s rich and diverse community”. Roop Johal, a member of HASWA raised awareness on the importance of BAME minorities becoming a stem cell donor as they only have 21% chance of finding donors internationally.Her daughter aged 3 is fighting leukaemia and all the money raised at HASWA’s raffle will go towards her fund.Entertainment was provided by the HASWA members, children dance groups and Veena Jain, Storm Vacademy and DJ RAVC. There was also a raffle, DJ, and authentic Indian cuisine.

Diwali 2017

Diwali, also known as the festival of lights was celebrated by the Havering Asian Social and Welfare Association (HASWA) at their community centre Greenfields, Kilmartin Way, Elm Park, Essex on Saturday 28th October 2017. Young and old came together for celebrations along with guests Mayor of Havering CouncillorLinda Van den Hende with Mr Laurence Chalk, Councillor Melvin Wallace and Colonel Markham Bryant DL MBE.

The guests delivered messages of goodwill to the community & Sansar Singh Narwal secretary of HASWA, said events such as the Diwali celebration promote better cultural understanding of Havering’s rich and diverse community. Entertainment was provided by the HASWA members, children dance groups and Veena Jain, Storm Vacademy.There was also a raffle, DJ, and authentic Indian cuisine.

Diwali - 5 November 2016

People from all generations came together to celebrate Diwali at the HASWA centre with guest MP for Dagenham & Rainham Jon Cruddas, Deputy Mayor of Havering and Councillors Melvin Wallace, Stephanie Nunn and Barry Mugglestone. Mr Fauja Singh the 105 years old marathon runner made a guest appearance. The HASWA women's, children and Bollywood groups provided the entertainment with DJ Surinder Tiwari. HASWA secretary Sansar Singh Narwal said: "Events as the Diwali celebration promote better cultural understanding of Havering's rich and diverse community."

Diwali Celebrations 1st November 2014

Diwali, also known as the festival of lights was celebrated by the Havering Asian Social and Welfare Association (HASWA) at their community centre Greenfields, Kilmartin Way, Elm Park, Essex on Saturday 1st November 2014. People of all ages and backgrounds came together for celebrations along with guests MP for Hornchurch and Upminster Dame Angela Watkinson, MP for Dagenham & Rainham Jon Cruddas, the Mayor of Havering Councillor Linda Trew and Councillors Melvin Wallace and Stephanie Nunn. The guests delivered messages of goodwill to the community. Sansar Singh Narwal general secretary of HASWA, said events such as the Diwali celebration promote better cultural understanding of Havering’s rich and diverse community. Entertainment was provided through performances of Bollywood dancing, singing by the HASWA ladies group and a dance by the Little Ilford School highlighting Black History month. There was also a raffle, DJ and authentic Indian cuisine.

DIWALI - 9th November 2013

Diwali, also known as the festival of lights was celebrated by the Havering Asian Social and Welfare Association (HASWA) at their community centre Greenfields, Kilmartin Way, Elm Park, Essex on Saturday 9th November 2013. It was a community function and Sansar Singh Narwal General Secretary of HASWA welcomed everybody to the 16th Annual Diwali celebration by the Association. He said that events like these are good for community cohesion and help promote a better cultural understanding of the rich diverse community we have in Havering.

HASWA’s cultural entertainment included Bollywood dance performances by children and singing by the ladies group held at HASWA every week. Professional singer Malkit Singh sang beautifully the rest of the evening whilst everybody showed off their Bollywood dance moves!! Authentic Indian cuisine from Samosa King and Kulfi donated by Continental Foods was enjoyed by all. Airfield Tesco and members of HASWA donated the raffle prizes.

Ashok Sedha and Parminder Singh were presented with an Appreciation Voluntary Award for their dedication, time and help in supporting all HASWA activities in helping the Asian and wider community of Havering.